Juwan Howard’s role last season with the Miami Heat, his 19th in the NBA, was more as a coach than a player. This season, Howard officially will hold the title being named Saturday an assistant on coach Erik Spoelstra’s staff.
Howard, who played in just seven games 2012-13, was hired as an assistant coach/player development, one of several moves the Heat announced just three days before the two-time defending champions open camp, including the promotion of front office executive Andy Elisburg to General Manager.

Elisburg, a senior vice president, held the title of basketball operations assistant GM, is a Heat original employee, starting 25 years ago in media relations. Elisburg’s duties will include assisting CEO Nick Arison and president Pat Riley in basketball operations including salary cap administration, talent acquisition, league compliance and the day-to-day business.

Other moves include Adam Simon being named assistant general manager/general manager of the Heat’s NBA developmental affiliate the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Dan Craig to assistant coach/player development, Chad Kammerer to director of NBA scouting/advance scout and Keith Askins to director of college and pro scouting. Askins spent the last 14 seasons as an assistant coach.

Additionally, Tim Hardaway is adding scouting to his duties as community and corporate liaison, Rich Fernando was named executive assistant to the coaches and Eric Glass becomes the video coordinator.